I believe in Championship — relationships rooted in equality, circularity, reciprocity, whole-self authenticity, and partnership.

Unending desire to fight for and rally behind each other's dreams. Free from power and hierarchy. No expectations of getting before you give. Magnetic and empowering. Professionally and personally grounded.

I believe Championship is the single most important relationship archetype that can change the world. The one archetype we should prioritize and defend above the others.

In choosing our Champions, we:

Shatter all the constructs that set out to divide us... org charts, industry, age, gender, race, religion, geography

Accelerate our career trajectory and open the door to limitless possibility

Elevate and bring only our fullest version of self to partnership

Celebrate that professional sponsors get to become friends, and friends become professional sponsors… because yes, you get to blur those lines

Dismantle the old archetypes that no longer serve us — single-directional mentorship, boss-subordinate relationships, partnerships rooted in sameness and likeness versus diversity

Every few months, I reflect on those individuals that I consider my Champions, the amazing people who make up my Champion Circle. These are the people I call when I can’t wait to share my biggest career aspirations, challenge my assumptions, bounce back from a setback, elevate my dreams to a grander scale.

I consider, who is in my circle? Who do I want to add? Who is no longer honoring that pact we made? It is just as important to welcome new people into your Circle as it is to admit when it is time to break up with a Champion.

Then I flip it. Who considers me part of their Champion Circle? Whose list am I not on because I am falling short? Alternatively, where am I doing exceptional?

There’s no blueprint to Championship. But it always begins with a realization of choice. We alone get to decide who we allow into our Circle, and whose Circle of which we want to be part. And that feels pretty amazing.

I recently spoke about the power of Championship at a Nexus program, “We Don’t Need a Network; We Need Championship.” Are you serious about cultivating Championship in your life? Drop me a note here. I would be happy to share the program recording with you.

Carrie is committed to affecting change and fueled by desire to take action. Carrie is the Founder and CEO of the Women in Leadership Nexus®. She is also the Vice President of Marketing at SQA Group. Carrie was named the 2019 "Woman to Watch" in the Providence Business News' Professional Services category; a 2019 winner on the RI Inno 50 On Fire List; a 2017 Rhode Island “40 Under 40” honoree and a 2016 Rhode Island Tech10 Winner.

Choose Championship